The Stanford Band Flap

ANN LANDERS Syndicated Columnist

February 8, 1998|ANN LANDERS Syndicated Columnist

Dear Ann Landers: This is in response to the letter about the disgusting behavior of the Stanford University band, which did a half-time show at Notre Dame that ridiculed the pope and made fun of the Irish potato famine. Unfortunately, the Stanford band has engaged in this type of shameful conduct for years.

As a graduate of the University of California at Berkeley, I have seen members of the Stanford band spell out obscene words as part of their routine and urinate on the football field. In 1990, band members were suspended after a show at the University of Oregon made fun of the region's economic hardship over the spotted owl controversy. In 1991, they were reprimanded when the band's drum major ran onto the field dressed in a nun's habit at a game against Notre Dame.

I have heard Stanford alumni express anger and sadness over the conduct of their band members. It is a pity that Stanford allows such uncivilized behavior to continue. - Sacramento Lawyer

Dear Sacramento: The response to that column has been staggering. Most Stanford graduates who wrote were embarrassed by the "bad publicity."Some thought it was much ado about nothing.

Keep reading for the last word. It comes from the president of Stanford University: Dear Ann Landers: I am a bit upset that you printed the letter about the Stanford band without checking all the facts.

The Stanford student band's purported satire was indeed uncivil and improper, and those students should have known better. However, contrary to your correspondent's statement that "school officials said they planned no sanctions," in fact, the band was barred from the field for the next three Stanford-Notre Dame games, and the athletic department put in place a new procedure for reviewing band scripts.

In October, the band issued a public apology, the athletic director made a public apology, and Father Edward A. Malloy, president of Notre Dame, accepted my apology to Notre Dame and the wider community. - Gerhard Casper, president, Stanford University

Dear President Casper: At the time that column was prepared, the only reported action taken was the apology of the athletic director. I appreciate the opportunity to set the record straight.